Minerva (Minnie) Guerra passed away quietly on June 19, 2016, surrounded by her husband of 63 years and three children, in Philadelphia, PA, after suffering a stroke while on vacation with her daughter and son-in-law.
Minnie was born on Sept. 3, 1930 in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, one of 12 children of the late Francisco and Guadalupe Lozano.
Minnie worked in a factory in Mexico that manufactured soap and shortening until she came to Dallas in 1952 to help her sister Alicia with the birth of her second child. During that visit, she met and fell in love with her sister’s next-door neighbor, Humberto Guerra. They married on Feb. 1, 1953 in her hometown, then returned to Dallas to begin their life together.
For 21 years, she was content to be a homemaker and mother, raising her three children. Then when her children were older, in her early 40s, she wanted to do more for herself. Because she had always liked to work with hair, she decided to go to cosmetology school to become a hairdresser. As a child, she would style her sisters’ hair and give permanents to her friends. Working with hair was the one thing she always liked to do.
Because she knew little English at the time, it took a great deal of courage for her to take such a big step. She had a patient, supportive teacher who also helped her to learn English. She studied faithfully every night from a Spanish-English dictionary. Because of her dedication and skill, she scored well on the weekly tests and won three trophies. Her daughter and son helped her to learn to drive so that she could be independent.
She spent many years cutting hair in a salon as well as doing her friends’ hair in her home. Her experiences as a hairdresser allowed her “to meet many beautiful people,” and always gave her joy. Because of the confidence she gained in herself and her English working in salons, she moved into clothing sales later in life. As one who never met a stranger, she excelled at sales. She got so much joy from her job that allowed her to interact with so many different people that she continued to work until the age of 83.
As a faithful member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Dallas for over 50 years, she was dedicated to service of others. She visited many people in nursing homes and administered communion to those who were home bound. She enjoyed being in the choir and loved to sing.
Minnie had an incredible zest for life and boundless energy. She continued to be active, walking two miles at Eastfield College every day and loved to learn and experience new things. She loved to dance and was an energetic and graceful dancer.
She loved and was well loved by many people. She showed grace and compassion and never let a day go by without praying for her family, her many friends, and anyone in need.
Minerva is survived by her husband, Humberto, daughters and sons-in-law, Sylvia and Chip Grover, Juanita and Mark Blomquist, and son and daughter-in-law, René and Tricia Guerra. She is also survived by a grandson and his wife, Shaun and Angel Clark, and great-grandson, Noah; sister, Alicia Herrera, brother, Humberto Lozano and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by countless others whose lives she touched.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff of the University of PA Hospital who provided such compassionate care to all of us during this difficult time as well as the many family and friends who have provided food, support and comfort.
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